Cantina 52
52 Brink St, Crystal Lake
(815) 333-7323
Recent Reviews
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Went to my first drag show last night definitely would go again it was so much fun and the service was great
Quick bite, big flavor—wrapped it up with a creamy Spinach Artichoke Skillet.
Quick bite, big flavor—wrapped it up with seasoned fries.
Took on breakfast with a Street Corn Dip—creamy, zesty, and way more fun than we expected.
Kicked off breakfast with a Chips N Salsa Refill—crunchy, zesty, and way more fun than cereal.
The pineapple guacamole is my fave! Great drink selections and menu options. Super friendly vibe. The owner is so nice. The place is lgbtq plus friendly but not necessarily a gay bar...everybody is welcome and encouraged to have a blast! The drag shows are fun and impressive ( beautiful and professional) if you haven't tried Cantina 52, I highly recommend! I would love to work there!!
Excellent service, food and beverages. I had the Texas quesadilla (brisket and BBQ sauce) and fried pickles. I had the jalapeno pineapple margarita and the desert pear (at my server Ethan's recommendation) and it will be my go to from now on. It's so pretty and delicious. The only meh part was the chips, and I feel like that's just because I prefer a thinner and saltier kind. They were still tasty.
Very warm and welcoming atmosphere. The owner is sincere and genuine. Several food choices, you will find exceptional.
We had four of us celebrating a birthday. Two of us vegan. Like others have said, they have a completely separtate and 100% vegan menu. So many options. Very eclectic. This was our second time and I'm wondering why it took us so long between visits! We'll be going more often. Met Jimmy the owner. Great guy and brought out some hotter hot sauce for me. The cauliflower wings are not to be passed up! Get the larger basket. The tortilla chips were great (but having just now read an earlier review, I'll have to ask how they are fried). The steak fajitas were recommended by Jade, our server, and it really was fantastic! My wife had the fish nachos. Also great! And their custom crafted beer by a local brewery was super! Go to this place! (And try the Chicago guacamole! Made with giardiniera.) Updated from previous review on 2025-06-14
I am vegan and there are more than 60 vegan options here to choose from! The food is so delicious! I eat here a few times per month. I love Wed. Night karaoke too.
Restaurantji Recommends
Cantina 52 is an absolute gem! It's the perfect spot for friends to hang out and have a fantastic time. The drag shows are a blast, adding a unique and exciting touch to the experience. The drink menu is out of this world, always featuring fun themes that keep things fresh and lively.
The staff at Cantina 52 are amazing, providing top-notch service with a smile. The Mexican-infused food is simply to die for, especially the elote dip and fajitas, which are must-tries. The atmosphere is incredibly welcoming to all, creating a friendly and inclusive environment that makes everyone feel right at home.
And let's not forget about Jimmy, the owner, who is truly amazing. His passion for the restaurant shines through in every aspect, making Cantina 52 a great place to be. Highly recommend this spot for an unforgettable night out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Margarita Flight, Street Corn, Street Corn Guacamole, Guacamole
I just had the Mediterranean bowl here. It is so delicious. It’s so amazing and a must
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My wife and I came here for the first time and we were greeted by the amazing host Jim and he seated us with our server Richelle who was both attentive and knowledgeable. We ordered the street corn guac, the mini tacos, and the Texan Mac which were all delicious. Our drinks were perfect and we couldn’t ask for a better atmosphere. Vibrant colors and warm toned over head lights plus up beat music that’s was just the right level to hear hear each other talking, but not so quiet that you couldn’t hear the music. We will 100% be coming back!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super fun place vibrant yet chill. Staff is a blast and food is FIREEEEE. We got the Texan Mac and it was sooo good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Street Corn, Street Corn Guacamole, Guacamole
This place made my day. Super pleasant and friendly, great atmosphere, so clean and tidy, and the food was divine. Traditional guacamole was so good, as were the salad and sliders. So stoked we found this place! Super awesome!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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